Save to Pinterest I was putting together a last-minute fruit tray for a backyard cookout when I realized I had nothing to serve alongside it. I opened the fridge and spotted Greek yogurt, honey, and a lemon. Five minutes later, I had a dip that disappeared faster than the burgers. People kept asking if I'd bought it from a fancy market, and I just smiled.
My niece, who normally turns her nose up at anything healthy, dipped her strawberry into this and then proceeded to eat an entire bowl of fruit. My sister looked at me like I'd performed magic. Sometimes the simplest things win people over in ways you never expect.
Ingredients
- Plain Greek yogurt (1 cup): Go for whole milk or 2% if you can, the richness makes all the difference and keeps it from tasting diet-y.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): This is what marries the tang to the fruit, use a bit more if your yogurt is especially sour or your crowd likes things sweeter.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A small splash rounds out the flavor and makes it smell like dessert.
- Ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon, optional): I add this every time now because it gives a warm, almost cheesecake-like vibe.
- Freshly grated lemon zest (1 teaspoon): This is the secret, it brightens everything and keeps the dip from tasting flat.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Balances the honey and adds just enough sharpness to make you want another bite.
Instructions
- Mix the base:
- In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Use a whisk to blend everything until it's silky and no streaks remain.
- Let it rest:
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes if you have time. The flavors deepen and the chill makes it more refreshing against warm fruit.
- Serve:
- Transfer to a pretty serving bowl and surround it with strawberries, apple slices, grapes, pineapple, or melon. Watch it vanish.
Save to Pinterest I started making this for myself on weekday afternoons when I needed something sweet but didn't want to crash an hour later. It became my favorite way to use up fruit that was just starting to soften. Now it shows up at every gathering I host, and I've stopped apologizing for how simple it is.
Flavor Variations
You can stir in a spoonful of whipped cream cheese for extra richness, or swap the cinnamon for freshly grated nutmeg or ginger if you want something a little more unexpected. I've also used maple syrup instead of honey when I'm serving it to my vegan friend, and it works beautifully with coconut yogurt.
What to Serve It With
Strawberries and apple slices are classic, but I love it with ripe pear wedges or chunks of fresh pineapple. It also works as a topping for granola or pancakes if you have leftovers, though that rarely happens. One time I served it alongside a cheese board and it held its own next to brie and crackers.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This keeps in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container, though it may release a little liquid as it sits. Just give it a quick stir before serving and it comes right back together.
- Make it the night before a party so the flavors have time to blend and you have one less thing to do.
- If it tastes too tangy after sitting, drizzle in a bit more honey and stir.
- Don't add the fruit until you're ready to serve or everything gets soggy and sad.
Save to Pinterest This dip taught me that you don't need a long ingredient list to make people happy. Sometimes all it takes is a few good things mixed with care.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What ingredients create the creamy texture?
Whole milk Greek yogurt provides creaminess, enhanced optionally by whipped cream cheese.
- → Can this be made vegan?
Yes, by replacing Greek yogurt with plant-based yogurt and using maple syrup instead of honey.
- → How does lemon affect the flavor?
Fresh lemon juice and zest add bright citrus notes balancing the sweetness and creaminess.
- → What fruits pair well with this blend?
Strawberries, apples, grapes, pineapple, melon, pears, and berries complement the dip nicely.
- → Is there an option for a spiced variation?
Adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger offers a warm, spiced twist to the dip.